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Trip Summary
You can pick from 49 daily train trips between Rotterdam and Aachen. The average train journey from Rotterdam to Aachen takes 4 hours and 5 minutes, but some Deutsche Bahn train trips are as short as 3 hours and 23 minutes.
| Distance | 105 mi (170 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 23m |
| Lowest price | €20.08 |
| Most frequent service | Deutsche Bahn |
| Train lines | 2 |
Which train should you take from Rotterdam to Aachen?
2 train services operate from Rotterdam to Aachen. Deutsche Bahn usually has more trains scheduled, with 38 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deutsche Bahn | 38 | 3h 58m | €36.91 |
| Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company | 15 | 5h 38m | €43.90 |
Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company train tickets from Rotterdam to Aachen start from €20, and on average cost . Daily there are 15 Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company schedules to Aachen. Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company in Rotterdam leaves from Rotterdam Alexander and 2 other stations. And in Aachen trains arrive at Aachen-Rothe Erde and one other train station.
From Rotterdam to Aachen train travel on Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company takes 5 hours and 38 minutes. If you are looking to get to Aachen faster, Deutsche Bahn with non-federally owned railway company offers more express schedule options with a travel time of 3 hours and 23 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Rotterdam and Aachen is approximately 105 miles, or 170 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 4 hours and 5 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 23 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Rotterdam to Aachen tend to have the most passengers on Tuesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Tuesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Tuesday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
The earliest train departs Rotterdam at 00:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 49 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your carry-on luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Aachen to Rotterdam.
City Information
Rotterdam
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
With origins as a small fishing village in the 13th century, Rotterdam is now the largest port in Europe. The city's unique architecture attracts visitors from all over the world, with its many angular and glass buildings standing out among much of Europe's old-world architectural style. Rotterdam is worth visiting on its own, or travel on an entire tour of 8 Dutch cities.
The exciting contemporary feel of Rotterdam extends into its art and design scene, home to many modern art galleries and Groos, a vast and eclectic concept store selling pieces by Rotterdam-based designers. For a more traditional art museum, visit the Museum van Boijmans Beuningen, one of Europe's finest art galleries displaying works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Magritte.
Rotterdam is also home to a growing food scene, and visitors can experience this in the impressive Markthal. With over 100 stalls and restaurants, the Markthal is the best place for visitors to sample authentic local cuisine.
Getting to Rotterdam is simple, whether by sea, air, rail, or road. Several airlines fly to Rotterdam The Hague Airport, and a convenient shuttle bus offers frequent transport to the city. Rotterdam's Centraal Station also provides international train services across Europe, and FlixBus offers convenient travel from various locations throughout the continent. In addition, you can take a ferry to Rotterdam from Hull in the UK and experience the city's famous port first-hand.
Aachen
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Pixabay
Image credit: Unsplash
Positioned near the Dutch and Belgian borders in the west of Germany, Aachen is a true hidden gem. Once a Roman spa town, this historic city dates back to the 1st-century and later became a favorite residence of the Frankish king, Charlemagne. A royal experience surely awaits you as well on your visit to Aachen.
The most striking building in this city is undoubtedly Aachen Cathedral. This cathedral is the first place in Europe to receive the prestigious status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in part because it is one of the oldest cathedrals in Europe. The cathedral is also the final resting place of Charlemange, though the exact whereabouts of his remains are unknown.
After a day spent walking around the city, visit the Carolus Thermen, or thermal baths, to soak in the hot mineral spring waters once loved by the Romans. Choose between a range of indoor or outdoor pools, saunas, and spa treatments to enjoy what the Romans called "salus per aquam," or "health by water."
Because of its border location, Aachen is easy to reach from Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Frequent international and national trains run through the train stations, while the international airport is served by many major airlines. Bus lines including FlixBus and Sindbad provide affordable ground travel from many destinations. Some of the more popular routes to Aachen depart from Berlin, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Rotterdam?
Image credit: Daniel
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Rotterdam Alexander
Rotterdam Alexander is a railway station in the northwest of Rotterdam. The station operates metro and overground services, with trains to Groningen, Utrecht, and Amsterdam, plus Metro stops across the city. The station is in a large, modern glass building with clear signage, and there are cafes, bars, and ticket counters inside. The station has been undergoing renovation, so it may have even more to offer in the future. Regardless, the station is in a busy area, so you can find lots of shops and restaurants, such as McDonald's and Sushi Lounge, as well as a huge shopping centre containing Mango, Zara, H&M, and many more popular shops nearby.
All train stations in Rotterdam:
Rotterdam Alexander
Rotterdam Lombardijen
Rotterdam Noord
Rotterdam Zuid
Where is the train station in Aachen?
Image credit: Lewin Bormann
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Eilendorf
Aachen Eilendorf is the main railway station in Aachen. The station does not have a building, like many rural stops, with just two platforms for trains going into Aachen centre and out to Stolberg. The RB20 regional services here depart about every fifteen minutes. There's also service to Aachen, which stops directly in the city's center. From there, you can catch connections across Germany and the Netherlands. The station has seating and ticket machines, but not much else. Luckily there's an ice cream shop and restaurant close by if you want to stretch your legs, and there's even a wine shop on the other side of the station. If you want more options, head into Aachen proper by catching a local coach from outside Eilendorf Station further into the district.
Train stations in Aachen:
Eilendorf
Aachen-Rothe Erde
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Need a return trip from Aachen to Rotterdam?
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